Yesterday at Tradition Field, MetsBlog's Michael Baron talked with Mets hitting coach Dave Hudgens about Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and other young hitters he is working with this spring...

Michael Baron: We've heard a lot about how you're helping Lucas Duda slow things down in the box. How do you get that to carry over to live action?

Dave Hudgens: That's the next step. Every step of the way, there's going to be more anxiety, more tension that comes into it. So what we've been concentrating, more than anything, is relax his mind. Try to slow down his heart beat and his mind, deep breath. Trying to get him to relax. Even trying to put him into those situations where there's 40,000 people in the stands in his mind, and trying to understand what he has to feel like. He's making some physical adjustments, but it comes down to a mental adjustment. Because the reason for all of that pre-pitch movement is because his mind is racing so much. In the cage, it's easy. No one is screaming at you, no pressure. As the game builds up and the pressure builds, that's where he's got to handle it mentally and develop a routine to where he can calm himself down It's going to be a process, but, so far, I'm happy with the way it's going.

Michael Baron: Kirk Nieuwenhuis struggled a little with the breaking pitch last season. How can you help him with that and get him to the next level?

Dave Hudgens: When he first came up, he didn't have a problem with those breaking balls. The key is laying off those pitches you should be lay off, and that comes down to pitch recognition. When you start struggling a little bit, guys start chasing hits, and chasing results. Whenever you start doing that, you start a little bit earlier. ... I try to teach the guys, if you see spin down -- knee high or thigh high -- if it's spinning, you have to discipline yourself. But when you're hunting hits, it's very difficult to do. That's how it snow balled with Nieuwenhuis a little bit. He couldn't calm himself down and he wanted to hit so bad, he was committing himself early and not recognizing those pitches. My suggestion to [the hitters] is early in the count, we're tracking pitches. Right now, we're going down and watching our pitchers on the side and watching that spin. Then when the games begin, hunt fastballs. [He] can hit breaking balls, but it has to be a breaking ball that's up.

It's great to hear Hudgens talk about pitch recognition. As the season went on, we saw the Mets struggle badly in that area, and - as Hudgens told Baron - it's like a quick sand situation: the more a player presses for hits, the more more likely he is to start his swing early. And, once he commits, it makes him more susceptible to getting fooled.

In the first half of the year, it seemed like the Mets were letting the game come to them offensively. They worked deep counts, they let at bats play out, and they grinded pitchers down. But, as the intensity level picked up in July, they seemed to get away from this approach. With valuable Major League experience under their belt, I'm interested to see how Duda and Nieuwenhuis adjust. I'm encouraged by the path Hudgens has them on this in spring.

Mets to change Citi Field address to honor Tom Seaver, will unveil plans for statue

Seaver, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, helped lead the Mets to the 1969 World Series title

Tom Seaver speaks during a ceremony for Members of the 1969 New York Mets baseball team before the Mets play the Phillies Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Mets will be permanently changing the address of Citi Field to honor Tom Seaver, the team announced on Thursday, with full details to be released at a later date.

In addition, the team will be unveiling plans this June for a statue to honor Seaver, Mets chief revenue officer Lou DePaoli said, according to Newsday.

"We've been working on exploring a potential statue option for a couple of years in coordination with the [Seaver] family," DePaoli said. "We won't be unveiling a statue this season. We will unveil the plans of what it will look like sometime on that ['69] weekend."

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8 awesome quotes from Ichiro, including 'Who the f*ck is Tom Brady?'

Ichiro is retiring at 45 years old after an amazing career that provided tons of amazing quotes

Ichiro Suzuki walked off the field Thursday for the last time as a player, ending a Hall-of-Fame career that began in 2001 -- including a stint with the Yankees and a period spent pestering the Mets as a member of the Marlins. And while he was one of the best hitters ever, he also gave some of the best and funniest quotes ever. Here is a sampling...

'Who the f*ck is Tom Brady?'

In 2017, Ichiro received a text message from a number he didn't know. The number belonged to Tom Brady, who had gotten it from Alex Rodriguez and wanted to talk to Ichiro about his stretching regimen. When one of the coaches asked Ichiro who had texted him, his response was perfect: 'Some guy named Tom Brady. Who the f- is Tom Brady?'

How Robinson Cano will impact Mets, who specifically targeted his kind of presence

According to MLB sources, Van Wagenen quickly identified Cano as a possible fit

Take a deeper look at one of the newest Mets, Robinson Cano. The veteran is expected to bring a lot to New York, this season.

During their first meeting about 2019, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen and manager Mickey Callaway agreed that their roster needed a well-respected, accomplished, battle-tested player that could handle New York and provide a heavyweight presence in the clubhouse.

According to MLB sources familiar with the deal, Van Wagenen quickly identified Robinson Cano as a possible fit. It was well known the Mariners were eager to move his contract, which -- by the way -- Van Wagenen negotiated for Cano when representing him in 2014.

In return for taking on roughly half of the $120 million left on Cano's current contract, the Mets wanted closer Edwin Diaz. In the end, after shopping a similar deal to other teams, the M's sent Cano and Diaz to the Mets for top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, and prospect Gerson Bautista while no longer having to pay roughly $60 million in payroll during the next five years...

'I wouldn't classify it as a platoon situation.' - Mickey Callaway

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway explains how he would handle Dom Smith and Pete Alonso if both first basemen break camp with the team.

We suggested eight days ago that it could make sense for the Mets to carry both Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith on the Opening Day roster, and manager Mickey Callaway said Wednesday the team is considering just that.

And If the Mets do carry the right-handed hitting Alonso and left-handed hitting Smith, Callaway suggested it wouldn't be in a straight platoon.

"I wouldn't classify it as a platoon situation," Callaway said. "I think our main goal would be to put them in the best situation to succeed. ... keep them both healthy and in the game mentally."

"The division was tough this past year and this year it got a lot tougher," Conforto told Buster Olney during an interview Tuesday on ESPN Radio. "I think we're very lucky to be in a division that's as competitive as it is. The Braves, the Phillies, us, the Nationals, and even the Marlins -- they've got some good young players and you really can't overlook that series you have against them every so often. It's gonna be a battle as well."

Among the biggest moves elsewhere in the NL East were the Phillies adding Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, the Nats adding Patrick Corbin, and the Braves taking a shot on a rebound year from Josh Donaldson. The Mets added Edwin Diaz, Robinson Cano, Wilson Ramos, Jed Lowrie, and more.

D'Arnaud could start on the IL, but remains in the Mets' plans

By Andy Martino | Mar 20 | 10:02AM

As the Mets continue to work out their catching situation, most of the attention has centered around the competition between Travis d'Arnaud and Devin Mesoraco to back up Wilson Ramos -- but Tomas Nido remains in camp as well.

The Mets have long seen Nido as a potential long-term solution as a backup catcher. No one is deluded about his offensive potential, but Nido is an excellent defender in a role that requires it.

D'Arnaud has also made himself more central to the team's plans this year. He is making progress in his return from Tommy John surgery, and the Mets like what they are seeing from his on-field performance.

Mets introduce new subscription-based ticket package for 2019 season

The "Amazin' Mets Pass" offers tickets to 78 home games

Mar 19 | 8:11PM

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Jun 23, 2018; New York City, NY, USA; A general view of the field prior to the game between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports (Andy Marlin)

The Mets are offering a unique ticket package for Citi Field this season.

For $39 per month, Mets fans can download the "Amazin' Mets Pass" on their smartphone that will give them access to 78 games this season. The tickets are for standing room, but there is an option to upgrade to a seat Monday-Thursday. All fans have to do is download the tickets for the game from the app, and scan the code at the gate to gain access.

"The program is targeted to the millenial demographic and unconventional audiences," Mets Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales Chris Zaber told The Post's Natalie O'Neill. "It's a greay way to gain access to Citi Field at a low cost. Even if you come to three games a month, it's a great deal.

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WATCH: Jazz SG Donovan Mitchell recalls favorite Mike Piazza memory

Mitchell's father,a former minor-league baseball player, works for Mets

Mar 19 | 6:17PM

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Donovan Mitchell loves Piazza00:01:50

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell reminisces about growing up when his dad was with the Mets and his favorite Mike Piazza memory.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is in town to face the Knicks this week, but the 22-year-old spent some time on Tuesday reminiscing about growing up around the Mets.

Mitchell's father, Donovan Mitchell Sr., has worked in the Mets front office for several years and is their director of player relations and community engagement.

Mitchell spent a lot of his time growing up around his father and at Shea Stadium, where he recalled one of his favorite memories -- the Mike Piazza home run after 9/11.

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SNY announces 2019 Mets Regular Season Telecast Schedule

Mar 19 | 4:37PM

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Apr 3, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; General view of fans outside Citi Field before a game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

NEW YORK - March 19, 2019- SNY, the official television home of the New York Mets, New York Jets and all things New York sports, today announced its 2019 regular season broadcast schedule for the New York Mets featuring 133 exclusive live games including pre- and post-game shows. SNY's Emmy Award-winning Mets broadcast returns Thursday, March 28 at 1:05 p.m. ET, as the New York Mets open the 2019 season on the road against the Washington Nationals.

SNY's broadcast team of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling, widely regarded as the best booth in baseball, return for their unprecedented 14th season together. They will be joined by Mets on-field reporter Steve Gelbs. Gelbs will continuedelivering his insightful in-game interviews and features with players, coaches and other personalities. This season, the broadcast teamwill also be providing content for SNY's social media outlets pre-, during and post-game. The award-winning production team headed by executive producer Curt Gowdy, Jr., senior coordinating producer Gregg Picker, and director Dan Barr, will continue to lead all SNY-produced Mets telecasts.

SNY's Opening Day Lineup will begin with a special 90-minute Citi Pre-Game Live hosted by Gary Apple, who will be joined by former Mets Todd Zeile and Nelson Figueroa and former Mets General Manager Jim Duquette as they take viewers right up to the start of the game with Jacob DeGrom scheduled to take the mound for the Mets.

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Mike Trout is rich after signing long-term with Angels, but he'll never be famous

More accomplished than Harper or Judge, Trout chooses lucrative anonymity

On the morning after Derek Jeter announced his retirement during spring training of 2014, I happened to be in Angels camp in Tempe, Arizona. At that time, a manufactured storyline was going around that Mike Trout could replace Jeter as the "face of baseball."

As Trout fielded questions about this topic, he was affable, engaging -- and clearly uninterested in being anything other than a great ballplayer for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was more goofy younger brother than international celebrity, and that seemed fine.

When the Mets acquired Yoenis Cespedes in the waning minutes of the 2015 trade deadline, they had to part with one of their top pitching prospects, Michael Fulmer.

The deal arguably worked out for both sides in the short term; Cespedes helped lead the Mets to a pennant that year and re-signed with the team, while Fulmer won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2016 and was an All-Star the next season. But the righty regressed in 2018 and had knee surgery in September.

Now, Fulmer won't see a mound for quite a while. He has been recommended to have Tommy John surgery, the team said Tuesday, after consultating with the renowned Dr. James Andrews, who also performed Fulmer's knee surgery. Additionally, he will seek a third opinion befor making a final decision.

The nightmare scenario for the Mets of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper landing with the Phillies didn't happen, and the nightmare scenario of Mike Trout joining Harper on the Phillies won't be happening, either.

Trout, who had been due to hit the free agent market after the 2020 season, has agreed to a 12-year deal worth $430 million to remain with the Angels, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The new deal absorbs the two years that were remaining on Trout's existing deal, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale, technically making it a $363.5 million extension that begins in 2021. The deal includes a full no-trade clause and does not contain any opt-outs...

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Mets push Zack Wheeler back after rainout

Wheeler remains on track to pitch the third game of the regular season

Feb 26, 2019; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during the spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports (Jasen Vinlove)

After Tuesday's rainout in Jupiter against the Marlins, Mets RHP Zack Wheeler -- who was set to start -- will instead throw 90 or more pitches Wednesday during an intrasquad game during the team's off day.

Wheeler remains on track to start the third game of the regular season, but with the rainout pushing his schedule back, he will now be making the start on regular rest instead of an extra day of rest.

Jacob deGrom is scheduled to start on Opening Day -- March 28 against the Nationals -- with Noah Syndergaard starting the second game of the season on March 30 (after a team off-day), and Wheeler getting the ball on March 31.

What David Wright sees in Mets that could make them special

The former captain spoke about what makes good teams get to next level

By John Healy | Mar 18 | 2:22PM

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Wright's knowledge brings value00:03:15

New York Mets special advisor David Wright discusses how often GM Brodie Van Wagenen calls him and explains the value he brings to the team.

David Wright may have never won a World Series with the Mets, but he did win an NL pennant and had some successful seasons, so he knows what it takes to win in the majors and that it is sometimes more than just talent on the field.

That's how Wright felt about the 2015 Mets and he sees some of that in this year's team.

The former Mets captain, in Port St. Lucie as special advisor to the GM, listened to a team meeting on Monday and spoke with some players afterward about what it takes to win in this league.

WATCH: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard pitch in Mets intrasquad game

The Mets' two top pitchers took the back fields opposite each other

Mar 18 | 4:03PM

Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom faced off in a minor league intrasquad game on Monday, with Brodie Van Wagenen and David Wright watching.

Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard squared off against one another on the back fields of the facilities at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie on Monday in a minor-league intrasquad game.

The Mets decided to scratch them from their scheduled starts against the Nationals this week in an attempt to scale back exposure against teams that they will be seeing plenty of in the regular season.

DeGrom allowed one run on seven hits while striking out 12 in 6.1 innings while Syndergaard allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits and two walks while also striking out 12 in six innings.

Mets Takeaways from Monday's 6-5 loss to Nationals, including another Michael Conforto HR

Mar 18 | 4:12PM

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Mar 18, 2019; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Michael Conforto (30) at bat in the third inning of the spring training game against the Washington Nationals at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports (Jasen Vinlove)

Michael Conforto stayed red hot at the plate and Jeurys Familia served as the opener during the Mets' 6-5 loss to the Nationals on Monday in Port St. Lucie. >> Box score

Five things to know about Monday's game ...

1. Conforto went yard for the third straight day, launching a two-run homer in the first inning for his fourth homer of the spring. The two-run shot gives him 10 RBI in Spring Training.

Negotiations between the Mets and ace Jacob deGrom are ongoing, with optimism in some corners that the sides will reach a deal by next Thursday's self-imposed deadline.

As of Monday morning, an agreement was not imminent, but the Mets and deGrom's reps continued to hammer away behind the scenes. SNY has previously reported that deGrom is seeking a deal of approximately five years and $150 million; it is not known what type of deal the sides are currently discussing.

The tone of this negotiation has shifted a few times over the course of the winter, which is probably to be expected for a potential deal this large. At the winter meetings in December, deGrom's reps at CAA left a meeting with Mets higher-ups expecting an offer.

WATCH: Michael Conforto's homer among Mets highlights vs. Nationals

Conforto has four home runs and 10 RBI this spring

Mar 18 | 1:55PM

Michael Conforto continues his strong spring with a 2-run home run to put the Mets up 2-0 over the Nationals on Monday in Port St. Lucie.

Michael Conforto seems ready for Opening Day.

The outfielder launched a home run Monday in the bottom of the first inning, his third straight game with a homer. He crushed a 3-2 pitch to right field with two outs to give the Mets a 2-0 lead over the Nationals.

Michael Conforto and Mets face Nationals (SS) at 1:10 p.m on SNY

Mets will open game with reliever Jeurys Familia on mound

Mar 18 | 10:06AM

Mar 16, 2019; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Mets left fielder Michael Conforto (30) connects for a two run homer against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports (Steve Mitchell)

Reliever Jeurys Familia will open Monday's Grapefruit League when the Mets take on the Nationals on Monday at 1:10 p.m. on SNY.

Mets notes

Michael Conforto remains in the cleanup spot after homering in the last two games. He is hitting .255/.314/.468 with three home runs and eight RBI this spring. ... Juan Lagares is back in the lineup on Monday batting second and in center field. ... Robinson Cano enters the game with a .486 average and two home runs.

Mets' Pete Alonso feeling confident defensively as season nears

First baseman says 'improvements are happening' and 'I'm really happy with myself'

Mar 17 | 5:23PM

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Alonso homers again in loss00:01:41

Michael Conforto, Mickey Callaway and Peter Alonso comment on Alonso's power display and improved all-around game this spring

Pete Alonso doesn't lack confidence when he steps in the batter's box. At least, he hasn't shown any signs of it this Spring Training.

But the knock on Alonso throughout his career in the Minor Leagues is that he struggles defensively. The first baseman has worked hard to erase the stigma, however, and simply play the position better. And he's feeling pretty good about his defensive game as the 2019 season beckons.

"I'm extremely confident," he told reporters Sunday after the Mets' 10-6 loss to the Nationals. "I mean, I feel like I've done a 180 from 2017 to now, because that was my dark year, so to speak, defensively."

Mets Takeaways from Sunday's 10-5 loss to the Nationals

By Chris Bumbaca | Mar 17 | 4:26PM

Pete Alonso belted his 4th homer of the spring and Michael Conforto also went deep for the 2nd straight day in a loss to the Nationals

Six runs from the Nationals in the first inning set the tone for the game, as they beat the Mets, 10-6, on Sunday at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches. >> Box score

Five things to know about Sunday's game ...

1. For the second straight game, Michael Conforto homered. This time, he drilled a two-run shot off Stephen Strasburg in the third inning. He worked a walked and struck out to raise his Grapefruit League average to .253 with a .782 OPS.

Jacob deGrom was scratched from his scheduled outing Sunday in a "B" game for the Mets due to a stomach illness.

It's obviously no reason to sound the alarms, and the silver lining here is noteworthy. To keep the 30-year-old on track to start Opening Day in less than two weeks, deGrom will throw Monday on the back fields. Fellow rotation mate Noah Syndergaard will toe the rubber for the other team in the Mets' intrasquad contest, providing an intriguing matchup, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported.

With a pair of games scheduled against NL East rival Washington for Sunday and Monday -- the two days deGrom and Syndergaard were scheduled to pitch, respectively -- the Mets made the conscious decision to shield them from Major League competition for the remainder of Spring Training.

The 53-year-old met with reporters in Port St. Lucie, where he was attending spring training, on Sunday and said he simply felt like it was time for him to return to the organization he grew up rooting for.

"There's no other organization that would make sense," Leiter said. "There's no B.S. I loved playing here. I had the majority of my success here, as a Met. It's the right thing. There's no other option."

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DeGrom, Syndergaard, Wheeler could be best Big Three in Mets history

Starting rotation mirrors great arms of Mets' past

The idea of a five-man starting rotation for the ages, as predicted by John Smoltz, among others, is but a memory now, with Matt Harvey gone and Steven Matz more mediocre than elite since his rookie season.

But the Mets might still have the best Big Three in baseball, if Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard all pitch with the dominance expected of them.

How far can that take them? Pretty darn far, if their history is any indication.

Hector Santiago takes the mound for the Mets on Sunday as they head to West Palm Beach to face the Nationals at 1:05 p.m.

Mets notes

Michael Conforto returns to the cleanup spot on Sunday after going 2-for-3 with a home run on Saturday ... Pete Alonso bats second with his team-leading three home runs this spring while Dominic Smith is the DH as he continues to make his case to be on the Mets' Opening Day roster.

Jason Vargas and the Mets face Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins in a Grapefruit League game on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.

Mets notes

Pete Alonso gets the start at first base and is batting second as he carries a .375 (15-for-40) average and team-leading three home runs into the game ... Robinson Cano (13-for-32) will bat behind Alonso while Travis d'Arnaud (4-for-13) gets the call behind the plate.

The Mets think the Nationals have seen enough of their major league pitchers this spring.

The team revealed on Saturday that they will shield their pitchers from Grapefruit League games so that other teams will not be able to get a good look at them, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Jacob deGrom, who was on schedule to start in Sunday's game against the Nationals, will instead pitch in a "B" game on the back fields of the Mets' Spring Training facility along with Jeurys Familia and Justin Wilson.

Mets Takeaways from Friday's 11-3 loss to Nationals

Steven Matz allowed four home runs in worst outing of spring

By John Healy | Mar 15 | 2:18PM

Feb 27, 2019; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) reacts after allowing a home run to Miami Marlins designated hitter Lewis Brinson (9) in the first inning of the spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports (Jasen Vinlove)

The Mets fell to the Nationals on Friday, 11-3, at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla. >> Box score

Five things to know about Friday's game...

1)Steven Matz continued to struggle in what was by far his worst outing of the spring. The left-hander allowed eight runs on seven hits, including four home runs, and a walk in just two innings of work.

The Mets lefthander had by far his worst outing of Spring Training on Friday, allowing eight runs, including four home runs, on seven hits and a walk in just two innings of work in his latest start against the Washington Nationals.

Matz, though, knows what the problem is and said that it is better he identifies and works through it now rather than when the season starts.

MLB scouts and execs help rank where Mets' starting rotation lands in NL East

The division features many of the league's most dominant starters

The NL East is stacked, balanced and expected to be the most compelling division in baseball this season. In large part, this is because the division features several of the league's most dominant starting pitchers and best overall pitching staffs.

For starters, Max Scherzer (Nationals) and Jacob deGrom (Mets) are widely considered to be the top two starting pitchers in all of baseball. According to multiple projection systems and fantasy rankings, the next best 20 pitchers in the league feature an additional five arms from the NL East, including Aaron Nola (Phillies), Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler, (Mets) and Patrick Corbin (Nationals) and Stephen Strasburg (Nationals).

In 2018, among NL pitchers producing at least 2.0 fWAR, six were from the NL East, including deGrom, Scherzer, Nola, Syndergaard, Wheeler and Mike Foltynewicz (Braves). Corbin, who was with the D-backs but has since signed with the Nationals, also finished in the Top 10. If extended to the Top 20, two more Phillies join the list (Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez).

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's desire for more action and less dead time in baseball is at the heart of the rules changes that were announced on Thursday, and with that in mind, here are the three I believe are most noteworthy:

1) The three-batter minimum for relievers, which goes into effect in 2020, and makes for intriguing strategy decisions as well as fewer late-inning pitching changes.

2) A 28-man September roster, as of 2020, which will finally bring an end to the ridiculous practice of essentially having unlimited substitutions in the final month of the season.

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Zack Wheeler takes the hill as Mets face Cardinals

Jeff McNeil gets start in left field

Mar 14 | 11:05AM

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New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox the spring training game at JetBlue Park. (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

Zack Wheeler takes the hill as the Mets face Michael Wacha and the St. Louis Cardinals in a Grapefruit League game on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. in Jupiter, Florida.

Mets notes

Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith are tied for the team lead in hits (13). ... Travis d'Arnaud is 4-for-10 with one home run and two RBIs in his first four spring training games.

Like it or not, Mets going all-in on Jason Vargas as No. 5 starter

Vargas struggled for part of 2018, but recovered late and has been lights-out in Spring Training

Mets manager Mickey Callaway and GM Brodie Van Wagenen have been consistent this entire offseason stating Jason Vargas would be their fifth starter in 2019.

Against the first batter Vargas faced this spring, he let up a home run. However, he has not allowed a run since, lowering his Grapefruit League ERA 1.08 ERA during his three starts, which is exactly what Callaway had been hoping to see.

"I really think he just needs a regular spring training, which is uninterrupted, to get himself where he needs to be," Callaway told me in January. "The regular schedule allows him to do that to the best of his ability."

WATCH: Mets' Robinson Cano hits second homer of spring

Two-run shot gave Mets 2-0 lead over Astros in fourth

Mar 13 | 2:32PM

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Cano launches a home run00:00:17

Robinson Cano hits a shot to center for a home run to put the Mets up 2-0 over the Astros on Wednesday in Port St. Lucie.

Robinson Cano continued his strong Spring Training on Wednesday, launching a two-run homer in the fourth inning off GerritCole to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. The homer was Cano's second of the spring, and as of the sixth inning he's hitting .440 so far.

Jeff McNeil playing third base for third time in four days

Mar 13 | 12:32PM

Feb 25, 2019; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports (Jasen Vinlove)

The Mets (8-10) host the Astros in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m., live on SNY.

Mets Notes...

Noah Syndergaard looks to bounce back from a subpar outing on Friday against the Marlins. ... Jeff McNeil starts at third base for the third time in four days as it seems more probable by the day that he'll be there on Opening Day. ... Pete Alonso starts at first base as he tries to earn his spot on the roster.

Two-plus years into the Tim Tebow experience -- or is it experiment? -- the outfielder's most notable accomplishment in baseball circles has been turning widespread cynicism about his motives into blanket appreciation for his commitment.

After all, the former Heisman Trophy winner, and now TV star/football god in SEC country, has ridden minor-league buses all over the eastern half of the country for two seasons, making only incremental progress toward prospect status, and still Tebow perseveres.

And so even notoriously hard-bitten major-league scouts preface their harsh analysis of the player with praise for the person.